Crying over tax laws in Maryland?

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's decision to sign into law a tax measure that could throw a serious kink in the budget plans of Prince George's County was greeted with some dark humor from County Council Chairman Thomas E. Dernoga Tuesday.

At the start of a council meeting to discuss Prince George's half of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission -- which stands to lose $18 million in tax revenue next fiscal year thanks to a law signed by O'Malley Tuesday morning -- Dernoga (D-Laurel) joked to an attendee: "Are you crying already? I heard the governor signed that bill, so you might as well cry."

Some have said the loss of revenue for the commission will make it difficult for the agency to provide millions in assistance to the county's budget without delaying or scrapping parks and recreation projects throughout the county. The new law will also give residents a break on taxes paid to the commission, which are based on property assessments.

-- Jonathan Mummolo